Sir Patrick Vallance, Chief Scientific Adviser says the UK is around 4 weeks behind Italy, in terms of its exposure to the disease.
Vallance says the UK's true Covid case number is probably between 5000-10000 people.
UK Chief Scientific Adviser Vallance says there is "some evidence" that school closure has an effect but that isn't a significant one and in order to be effective you'd have to do it for 13-16 weeks (!) or longer
Whitty, Valance and the PM have majored on theme of "doing things at the right time", ie school closures
The other theme of the day, is that other governments, for whatever reason, have decided the "right time" is now.
The other theme of the day, is that other governments, for whatever reason, have decided the "right time" is now.
Chris Whitty says that seven days is actually the correct length of time where Covid sufferers are infectious.
Whitty: it's no longer needed to test everyone who has Covid. Priority for testing will be on people seriously in hospital.
Effectively conceding that the virus will be so widespread that there's no point/isn't practical to test.
Effectively conceding that the virus will be so widespread that there's no point/isn't practical to test.
Changes in testing regime means you won't know for sure if you had it.
The other theme which has come through the presser is that the government doesn't think people will be able to maintain social isolation, you've got to deploy it at the right time
other countries making different assessment...
other countries making different assessment...
